German Carl Zeiss
T * Optics + Porsche designed camera
body + The electronic wizardry of Yashica of Japan - That summarizes a smart but
very successful international business partnership and also a winning formula that
has been groom and cherished dating back to the late seventies. The name 'Contax' and "Zeiss" itself, with their
respective rich, eventful and historical background present a distinctive charm on
its own to many faithful followers worldwide. Although the strategic alliance of
the re-establishment of one of the oldest trade name was soon parted, but the early
design concept has a long lasting influence over the design and development of other
components in the Contax photographic system as a whole.

The new series
of modern Contax SLRs, with the debut of the original Contax RTS 25 years ago, was
supplemented by a series of fine, carefully spec midrange Contax SLR models, where
they eventually recognized as veritable tour-de-force of innovative technology, integrating
exclusive, advanced electronics with the supreme mechanical precision and reliability
which represents the essence of modern photographic hardware performance. There are three
RTS SLR camera models, the RTS (Real Time System) models are usually referred as
the top-of the-range flagship model within the Contax lineup.

The
original CONTAX RTS was introduced in ,highly advanced electronic SLR system
camera developed by mutual cooperation of Carl Zeiss, West Germany, and Yashica,
Japan. It offers the advantage of one of the most sophisticated fully automatic through-the-lens
exposure control available during the late seventies.

The RTS has
been in service as the flagship model for about 6 years, supplemented by three midrange
models with 139Q ,137MD and 137MA before its next vastly improved model, the RTS
II that introduced in 1982. The RTS system is designed under an interpretation of
'Real Time' - A conceptual idea more inclined for brand building and/or marketing
but in real life application, the system are not quite lived to that standard. Contax
interprets 'Real
Time Photography' as photography optimized to instantly transform the photographer's
creations into the highest quality photographic images. But being the flagship camera of Contax,
the camera did provided with some original technical and optical innovations.

Another
area that truly excel was its functional response, precision timing and disposition
of information, it provides such capability in quite a broad fields of photography
as could not possibly be expected by many other rivaling 35mm SLR camera models during
its era.

The optical
system - centered around the famed Zeiss optics was another very attractive reason
for one to select Contax SLR system. The Bayonet Mount also a product of mutual cooperation
between Carl Zeiss and Yashica affords perfect coordination of the optical, mechanical
and electronic systems.<The Contax RTS II, 1982
with so much improvement made - a worthy upgrade and a very attractive start up model
for those who are looking for one at the used market.

A clear departure
from the conventional Contax RTS design, with an integrated built-in motor drive
and a few very original Contax innovations, which includes an entirely new
TTL flash exposure control concept. It was easily regarded by many as one
of the best manual focus SLR camera throughout the '90.

Zeiss
T *Lenses, the soul of the
Contax system. To take advantage of one of the most respectable optical manufacturer
in the industry, a new Bayonet Mount - a product of mutual cooperation between Carl
Zeiss and Yashica - offer a perfect coordination between some finest and most sophisticated
optical, mechanical and electronic engineering fields. An the RTS system has a full range of precision-plus Zeiss T* Lenses designed especially for the Contax RTS.
The
early optics were using a AE mount but it was replaced with a newer MM mount that
can take advantage of the multi-AE features found in the newer breed of Contax SLR
cameras. Lenses made in Germany are considered by some to be better, but most of
the Zeiss lenses - except some exotic and rare items are mostly produced in Japan
now.

The entire system covers a wide range
from 15mm super-wide-angle to 1000 mm reflex telephoto, and includes a 16 mm fisheye
lens, several wide-angles, standard lenses, telephotos, super telephotos , variable
focus zoom lenses, special purpose macro and bellows lenses, and the Olympia Sonnar.
To
many followers, the Zeiss optic factor is the single most important factor to select
the Contax SLR system.

Credit: Images downloaded
from Zeiss, Germany (as advised
by webmaster of Zeiss to point to this location) Image has been scaled and retouched
for purpose of broadcasting.

This site
only serves to feature 3 Contax RTS models. I am not a historian nor an expert in Contax SLR
system. Mere a passenger of time, perhaps some of you have even better experience
and more in depth knowledge than me where matters relate. But I had the luxury of
seeing the complete life cycles of the 3 excellent SLR cameras from Contax which
has partly helped Company spring boarded over the years to emerge as one of the most
influential 35mm SLR camera
system in the business with their continuing innovations and precision engineering
to introduce series of exciting, trend setting camera systems to the photographic
community. However, other than the greatness and thoughtfulness found in the design
of the respective RTS SLR camera models, some of the remarks published herein may
not be too pleasant to read for any die-hard Contax fans as I have used many other
equally great SLR camera models to compare the weaknesses found in the Contax 35mm
photographic system. If you insist I must agree it is the absolutely the best MF
camera system IN ALL ASPECT that can be found on the market today, that will be too
unfortunate as I have other interpretation wherever it relates. Well, as long as
you can open up your mind, I will be more happy to continue developing sites like
these as my priority is inclined towards more on photography rather than individual
brand name.

This website
is still FAR from perfect
but within my knowledge I thought I have tried my best. IF you feel the same way
that I do, perhaps some of you may able to help patching up what has left not being
addressed in this website via a public forum. Please utilize the convenience of the
Message Board System provided here to handle issues that have not being covered in
this Contax site.

This site,
along with many other classic cameras featured in this site, chronicles another photographic
legendary imaging tool of modern times.

Credit: MClau, joint maintainer of the Contax RTS
MB; Mr. Milan from Pacific
Rim Camera
<staff@pacificrimcamera.com> for their contribution of
some images used in this site;
Three great images of the Databack for Contax RTS contributed by Mr. "Miura Yoshiki" <nbot@banban.ne.jp>; Mr. Timothy Daley
of www.alkit.com <cameras@AS400.alkit.com> for both of his images on TLA20 and
TLA30; Mr. "dearaujo" <dearaujo1@mediaone.net> for his images of the Contax
RTS and RTW;Mr.
Pshea<pshea@nyc.rr.com> for this image of the RTW;Miss Kristina Hauzar-Proctor
ofwww.henrys.com for the images of Contax RTW-W3; Some of the content are
extracted from: Cees
De Groot,
who maintains a Contax FAQ site and Tim Roger website on Contax SLR cameras,
A few of the images on Zeiss lenses were downloaded from Contax US website. My buddy, Yeak† & Rizal Yahya, for their cool programming
with Contax RTS's Message Board, PLEASE
take Note:certain
contents and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing
leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Kyocera over the
years and/or contributions from surfers who claimed originality of their own work
solely for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible disputes except rectifying
them after verification."Kyocera", "Yashica", "Contax" & "Carl Zeiss T*" are registered trade
names of Kyocera
Corporation
Inc., Japan.
A site made with an Apple IMac, dedicated for all of Contax fans
of cameras and Zeiss Optics.